Victorian police have charged two people with the murder of businessman Herman Rockefeller, who disappeared nine days ago.

Bernadette Denny, 41, and Mario Schembri, 57, appeared at an out-of-sessions court hearing in Melbourne, each accused of murdering Mr Rockefeller at a house in north Melbourne on the night of January 21, or the next morning.

Homicide Detective Tim Bell told the court both of the accused have admitted to getting into a fight which led to Mr Rockefeller's death.

It is alleged Schembri and Denny have admitted to helping dispose of the millionaire businessman's body, or knowing about its disposal.

The court also heard police have found what they believe are human remains.

Yesterday police were searching a bushland area near Heathcote in Central Victoria.

Both of the accused have been remanded in custody to appear in court next week.

Mr Rockefeller was last seen leaving Melbourne Airport in his light blue Toyota Prius car on January 21 after returning from a business trip to Newcastle.

Three police helicopters and officers on the ground yesterday searched the Heathcote scrub and focused on the area around the dry McIvor Creek.

Victoria Police's homicide squad took over the investigation and detectives converged on Heathcote after questioning Denny and Schembri yesterday.

A local Hadfield resident, who wanted only to be known as Samantha, said the couple have lived in the average suburban street for a couple of years.